Chapter 184

Chapter 184: Bringing Xin An into the Palace

Usually steady Auntie Wang took the initiative today to accompany Xin An to the front courtyard to see Cui Ping; she cared even more about Cui Ping’s arrival than Xin An did. Though her young mistress always looked cheerful, behind the scenes she was exhausted; after entertaining those noble ladies she came back so tired she did not want to speak. Auntie Wang’s heart ached, but beyond managing meals and drink she could offer little. [As long as Cui Ping is capable and bears no ill intent, what harm is there in yielding my place to her?]

When the Grand Matron learned that someone from the palace would be coming, she said: “If you meet her and think well of her, bring her for me to see too so I can cast an eye over her.”

She added to Xin An: “The Empress Dowager has replied to my card and has summoned me to enter the palace in two days; you will go with Grandmother.” Xin An felt it a little sudden and asked: “We are going into the palace?” The Grand Matron said: “Come again later; Grandmother will teach you the rules for entering the palace. This is a road you must walk sooner or later, and if Grandmother takes you once, things will go more smoothly afterward.” [Her words sounded as though she were entrusting something weighty.] Before Xin An could ask more, the Grand Matron continued: “Do not be nervous. You are the marquisate’s daughter-in-law; what is so rare about entering the palace? If the second boy proves capable, you will go many times in the future.”

Tang Gang had decided first and reported afterward, setting his sights on the girls of the clan; by the time she learned of it, the matter was settled. What mattered was that she knew those girls were very willing; they had raised such a proposal two years ago. [Since one side wills to strike and the other to bear it, even with a thousand angers in my heart I can do nothing.] She could only think: since they have come, I must manage the matter with care and bring it to a result that pleases all, lest it end in universal resentment.

She could not help thinking of the Old Master; if he were still here, he would be furious to learn of the younger generation’s plan. Her gaze fell on Xin An. [When the clan’s girls arrive, Xin An will inevitably be the one they trouble for help. Tao Yi Ran cannot be relied upon in the least.] Xin An was good, but her status carried some disadvantage; the Grand Matron wanted to win her honor, raise her standing a little, and make it easier for her to form connections outside.

The Grand Matron did not say this aloud, and Xin An did not press. After offering a respectful bow, she said: “I will follow Grandmother’s arrangements.” The Grand Matron replied: “Good, go then; do not keep anyone waiting.”

After Xin An left, the Grand Matron sighed. Among the women of the household, the only one she could count on was this one. [If only Tang Rong had heeded the Old Master and married Xin An, how good that would have been. With Tao Yi Ran not pulling her weight, Tang Rong’s road is destined to be hard.] Gan Lu started to speak, then thought better of it, and in the end could only shake her head in silence.

In the front courtyard, when Xin An arrived, Madam Wang was already speaking with Cui Ping. Seeing Xin An, Madam Wang said to Cui Ping: “This is my second daughter-in-law; have a look.” Cui Ping rose to offer a greeting, and Xin An inclined her head. Anyone who could enter the palace would not be lacking in looks, and one who could become an aunt of the household would naturally possess wits. Besides, Xin An had known of Cui Ping’s ability in her previous life; there was nothing to criticize. Xin An said with a faint smile: “I have long heard Auntie Cui Ping is exceedingly presentable; seeing you today proves the words were no exaggeration. Auntie, please be seated.”

Cui Ping discreetly sized Xin An up and said: “Second Young Madam is even more accomplished than I imagined.” Xin An did not circle around but stated her purpose directly: “I came from Huaijiang and cannot claim to understand the capital well. I hope to have someone familiar with the situation in the capital to assist me; would Auntie be willing?”

Xin An was direct, and Cui Ping was forthright as well. Her parents had long passed away, and her elder brother had died the year before last. Now her nephew headed the household; although he had treated her well these two days, aunt and nephew had never lived together long-term. A short stay was fine, but a long one was likely to cause problems. With her qualifications she could certainly become an aunt in a high household, yet the higher the gate, the harder it is to gain a foothold and the rarer true trust. After the Weiyuan Marquis’s household found her, she had made careful inquiries: the Heir Apparent’s branch was muddle-headed, the second son’s branch seemed inconspicuous, yet the Second Young Madam was prosperous. Unfortunately, the people around her were unfamiliar with the capital’s great families, and since the Second Young Madam frequently went out to socialize, Cui Ping’s usefulness would be beyond doubt. Rather than sit on a cold bench and wrangle in some other residence, it would be more dignified to be here.

Having thought it through, she rose again and offered a slight curtsey: “If Second Young Madam does not disdain my meager skills, I will give my all to assist you.” Cui Ping’s decision to stay was just as Xin An had expected. [In her previous life, even Cui Ping had chosen to serve the wife of a newly minted top scholar who knew nothing and had no money; why would she not now choose a Second Young Madam of a marquisate, whose starting point is much higher?]

Madam Wang had no objection, and after looking her over the Grand Matron also nodded, though she tapped out a warning for Cui Ping: “Since the Second Young Madam has chosen you and you are willing to stay, you must not harbor a divided heart. Give your whole effort to support her; if you do well, good fortune will come to you.” Cui Ping was very respectful before the Grand Matron and said: “Thank you for the Matron’s guidance. I am grateful that the Second Young Madam does not despise me and is willing to take me in; I shall repay her with all my strength.” The Grand Matron gave a satisfied hum and said: “You may go.”

Auntie Wang needed to return for her luggage, and Xin An had Auntie Wang assign two people to accompany her back to help. Once they had left, Xin An smiled and asked the Grand Matron: “Grandmother, is she adequate?” The Grand Matron answered: “Adequate.” She could see that Cui Ping was capable, yet she feared Xin An might not be able to manage such a person. [When the servant is strong and the mistress weak, it bodes ill.] She asked: “Have you thought where to settle her?” Xin An said Auntie Wang had already readied a room in Qiu Shi Courtyard, but the Grand Matron said: “She may have come from the palace, but you are the mistress, the Weiyuan Marquisate’s Second Young Madam. There is no need to raise her too high. Let her live in Falling Geese Pavilion; the master’s courtyard is not something to be entered lightly. Use her for now; if she attempts to place herself above you, send her away. Do not worry over other matters.”

Xin An bent in salute and said: “With Grandmother here, I have no worries at all. Auntie Cui Ping is a smart woman and should know how to advance and retreat. If she dares to overstep, I will not tolerate it. Grandmother, rest assured; I will not let a servant bully me.” The Grand Matron was very satisfied with her attitude, and the more she looked, the more she felt Xin An had the makings of the next managing mistress of the household. [The more outstanding Xin An appeared, the more regret she felt for Tang Rong; she could not help leaning a little toward him in her heart. If that incident had never happened, he and Xin An, one managing the outside and one the inside, with Xin An’s talent for social dealings, how smooth Tang Rong’s road would have been.]

Only after the others had gone did she sigh: “It is all fate.” Gan Lu tried to console her and said: “Please do not worry so much. The Second Young Madam is outstanding, and the second young master is now diligent too; this is a good thing.” The Grand Matron shook her head. Her grandchildren’s success was a blessing, of course, but [the marquisate has only one marquis; when brothers contend, whichever one is hurt, she cannot bear it.] Gan Lu did not continue to persuade her. [She thought that people should not enjoy blessings too early. The Grand Matron had long ago let go of managing and enjoyed a few years of good days; who could have known that now she would be so burdened with worry.]